Looks Bad to Reasonable Persons

Saturday, 23 March 2002, Hamden, Connecticut

By Vipramukhya Swami

If you have any doubt that the antagonists of ISKCON are rejoicing over the passing of Tamal Krishna Goswami due to an unfortunate accident, then take a look at PADA. Be warned, it is an offensive website not for the faint at heart. To quote one so-called devotee on that site: "We are very happy to learn that Tamal Krishna Goswami has died in a car crash. Krishnas mercy! A day to celebrate. We will all pray for him to get his due share in the court of Yamaraja for poisoning Srila Prabhupada and his Mission. Thanks Krishna, one demon less on this planet. Now let's get the other ones."

Puranjana himself writes, "Today (15. March 2002) is Tamal Krishna Goswami's (TKG) disappearance day. This is a truly wonderful day of great joy and jubilation and we are touched by the mercy Krishna has shown to the suffering Vaisnavas by finally dispatching this demon to the court of Yamaraja."

These people still believe Srila Prabhupada was poisoned and that Tamal Krishna Goswami was responsible for it, despite the abundant evidence to the contrary. (See: http://www.iskcon.org.au/prabhupada/index.html)

Not only do they believe Prabhupada was poisoned, but they believe other persons still living are also responsible. The words, "Now let's get the other ones" rings ominously.

An example: Several times over the last three or four years I received phone calls from someone who goes by the name "Yamaraj das," a name I presume to be fictional. This "Yamaraj das" called me in England to threaten me. "You better boogie, Vipramukhya. 'Cause I'm gonna come over there and whip your ass." When I asked him why he would want to do such a thing, he told me, "Because you cooperate with all those guys that murdered Srila Prabhupada."

I'm not sure how "Yamaraj das" thinks I had anything to do with Srila Prabhupada's passing. I wasn't even in India when Prabhupada left this world. Perhaps he thinks because I was the former webmaster of Chakra (now replaced by Umapati Swami). I don't know for sure what the connection is. But one thing is sure: the spreading of rumors that Prabhupada was poisoned is not only inaccurate, but dangerous and may lead to violence against ISKCON leaders.

Tamal Krishna Goswami once told me he was very worried that someone might try to harm him because of this "poison" issue.

Prabhupada wasn't poisoned. He left this world after an extended illness after having suffered kidney failure due to diabetes. A dear disciple of Prabhupada's, Tamal Krishna Goswami, just left his body in a terrible car crash still within the jurisdiction of the Holy Dham of Gaura Mandala. The world is not a better place now that he is gone. We are unfortunate that he is gone.

The fact that some critics and antagonists think otherwise exposes them and makes them look poorly in the eyes of any reasonable person.